Leveling Up With My Rebate System

Nathan and Della got back to the auction hall and soon enough, a round of applause could be heard from his fellow bidders.

Some came up to shake him and congratulate him, others waved at him and some kept to themselves. Apparently some of them had their doubts if he could pay it off.

He caught a glance at his rival storming out the hall in anger. The sight put a smile on his face.

The host packaged the items they won and handed it to them. He and Della got into the car and she drove off.

The drive back was quiet for most part. Nathan willed the system screen to life.

’Show me the skills I have so far’

[Skills: Fortitude, Golden Eyes, Presence]

Nathan narrowed his eyes at the skills section.

’Give me details on the new skills’

[Golden Eyes]

[Golden Eyes is a skill that improves the Host’s sense of sight for better perception and focus. It also acts as a marker for various other skills and abilities that will be provided by the system.]

[Active use manifests as a golden glow in the host’s eyes.]

[Presence]

[Presence is a skill that allows the host to adjust his perceived significance among others. The host may amplify their presence to command attention or reduce it to avoid attention.]

[The Host can activate these skills at will, but they may also manifest on their own.]

Nathan frowned at the information on the screen.

’Golden eyes are like vitamin A pro max and makes my eyes glow and presence is like having aura?’

[As you have deduced, Host.]

Nathan rested his hand on his chin, turning the information in his mind.

’I’m assuming these skills need activation like fortitude?’

[Correct]

Nathan willed the screen away and made a mental note to activate them later when he was alone.

He opened his Critter and got a message from Moe. He confirmed the person Della recommended to watch his sister checked out. Nathan thanked him and paid for his services.

From the corner of his eye, he could see Della throwing glances at him.

A smile played on his lips. With how much he just spent it was understandable she would have questions.

"Is something the matter? Detective?" Nathan asked without looking in her direction.

"No," Della replied.

There was a moment’s pause where she turned the steering to change lanes before speaking again.

"That was a lot of money you spent on the auction. Your sponsor really pulled through."

"Yes, they did."

"Which makes me wonder who they are and why they are helping you."

Nathan turned to look at her this time. "I told you. They prefer to be anonymous."

Della shook her head. "I don’t buy that. I saw you in that room earlier when the other man made the bid. You were worried for a moment." She came to a stop at a traffic light and turned to Nathan.

"You didn’t call or text anybody. You simply stood still for a moment and placed a hundred million bid." her eyes narrowed at him. "And you bought the pocket watch on a whim."

A small smile played on Nathan’s lips. "Where are you getting with this?"

"I have a feeling that you know the sponsor personally but some things aren’t adding up."

"Such as?"

"For one. Why did the sponsor not put these resources into helping you while you were still on trial? Or at the very least, send the money to your family?"

Nathan leaned back in the seat. "What’s your question, detective?"

Della’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as the light switched to green. "Who is your sponsor and how did you meet them? I want the truth."

"Is that really necessary?" Nathan asked.

"Yes," Della replied. "If we are working together on this. I’d like to know who is backing us up."

Nathan let out a breath. "In that case I want an answer to a question of mine too."

Della raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

Nathan threw her a glance. "What’s your motivation for taking this case? And don’t give me the law abiding officer thing."

Della went silent for a moment. "If I tell you. You tell me who this sponsor is?"

"Of course," Nathan replied, which made Della’s ears perk up.

"But first things first, I’m hungry. Is there a restaurant somewhere where we can get food?" Nathan asked, looking around.

Della smiled. "I know a place but we’ll be eating in the car. It would be a problem if someone recognized you."

Nathan let out a sigh and gave her his order.

Moments later, they were both parked near a restaurant. The smell of fries, burgers and sandwich filled the car, warm and greasy. Nathan bit into his burger, and the crunch of lettuce and the burst of sauce hit his tongue.

Outside, the restaurant hummed with life: muffled music, the clink of glasses, the distant laugh of a child. Nathan smiled at how ordinary everything felt.

"So, you first," Della said, taking a bite of her sandwich.

Nathan let out a breath, thinking how to approach the topic. "So...the thing is. There is no sponsor, I mean there is but not the way you think."

Della frowned. "I don’t get it. Did you lie to me?"

Nathan raised a finger. "I didn’t lie. I said I had a sponsor and the sponsor is me."

Della raised an eyebrow as she processed his words. "You’re telling me you have a hundred million dollars to spend on an auction?"

I have six hundred actually

"Yes," Nathan replied.

Della scoffed. "But that’s... how?"

"Crypto and NFTs mostly."

Della’s frown deepened. "You’re telling me a delivery driver is suddenly able to spend a hundred million dollars because of digital coins and images?"

"You’d be surprised what is possible, detective," Nathan replied casually.

Della frowned. "And this is after you went to prison?"

"Yes, I helped someone and they gave me a good amount of capital to start," Nathan answered.

"I don’t believe it," Della said. "Maybe, until I see proof."

Nathan already expected the question but he pretended to think for a moment.

He brought out his phone and scrolled through his NFT collections then handed it to Della.

"These are some of them."

She took it, her eyes scanning the screen. Her eyebrows rose slightly.

"These are... a lot of pixel art."

"Yes," Nathan said casually. "Some of them have dropped in value but that’s how it is."

Della handed the phone back, her expression unreadable. "Let me get this straight. The money you spent tonight? Is it legit?"

"Yes, it is." Nathan met her gaze. "It’s not stolen. I just got lucky. Very lucky."

Della paused for a moment. "As long as the money isn’t stolen, I don’t have a problem with it."

Her grey eyes settled in Nathan. "But if it is stolen then you’re in for a different problem."

Nathan kept eye contact. "Of course."

A part of Nathan was curious where the money generated by the system came from, but he hadn’t asked yet, at least not until he had cleared his name. But now he was curious.

’Is the source of the rebates and money legal?’

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